Viewership Up For This Week’s Episode Of SmackDown, Bayley Says Goodbye To NXT

This week’s episode of SmackDown which featured the fallout from SummerSlam and AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler in the main event drew 2.714 million viewers according to ShowBuzzDaily. Viewership for this week’s show was up compared to the 2.471 million viewers who tuned into last week’s show.

This week on Raw Bayley officially joined the WWE main roster. She was introduced by General Manager Mick Foley and it looks like she’ll be feuding with Charlotte going forward. Bayley has been a cornerstone of NXT for quite some time now, and she posted a heartfelt goodbye to the brand on Instagram which you can read below.

Dear NXT, Today I went into the Performance Center and had to clean out my locker. After almost 4 years with NXT, it’s time for me to step away and the new crop of women to step up. I am so confident in the division and know we will see it be taken to newer heights. I’ve seen FCW shows grow from 12 people in the crowd to NXT payperviews with 15,000 in Brooklyn. NXT is my life, it’s everything I am, everything I’ve ever wanted in wrestling. The roster, the coaches, our bosses, our fans. All of it is everything I’ve ever wanted. I couldn’t have dreamt up a better journey, and I couldn’t have asked for better support and love that all of you have embraced me with.

I love this industry with all of my heart but I mean this when I say it, I would not be able to do the things I’ve done without you guys. You fans match our passion. With everything we give you in the ring, you give us right back as fans. And that’s what makes NXT special, and that’s what I’ll miss most. I’ll miss my NXT family backstage, I’ll miss those once in a lifetime moments like doing Finn Balors entrance or teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura or standing in the ring for 10 minutes as you guys sing a song, and I’ll miss the proud feeling of being a part of it all. But I know it will continue. And I will never stop chasing that feeling. I am beyond excited to bring everything you all taught me, to WWE. Thank you for the memories, and as always, WE are NXT.

Dear NXT, Today I went into the Performance Center and had to clean out my locker. After almost 4 years with NXT, it’s time for me to step away and the new crop of women to step up. I am so confident in the division and know we will see it be taken to newer heights. I’ve seen FCW shows grow from 12 people in the crowd to NXT payperviews with 15,000 in Brooklyn. NXT is my life, it’s everything I am, everything I’ve ever wanted in wrestling. The roster, the coaches, our bosses, our fans. All of it is everything I’ve ever wanted. I couldn’t have dreamt up a better journey, and I couldn’t have asked for better support and love that all of you have embraced me with. I love this industry with all of my heart but I mean this when I say it, I would not be able to do the things I’ve done without you guys. You fans match our passion. With everything we give you in the ring, you give us right back as fans. And that’s what makes NXT special, and that’s what I’ll miss most. I’ll miss my NXT family backstage, I’ll miss those once in a lifetime moments like doing Finn Balors entrance or teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura or standing in the ring for 10 minutes as you guys sing a song, and I’ll miss the proud feeling of being a part of it all. But I know it will continue. And I will never stop chasing that feeling. I am beyond excited to bring everything you all taught me, to WWE. Thank you for the memories, and as always, WE are NXT.

A photo posted by Bayley (@itsmebayley) on Aug 24, 2016 at 11:53am PDT